Band buckle, method of making and tool for applying

ABSTRACT

Band buckle, method of making the buckle, and tool for applying the buckle to lapped ends of a looped band. The buckle is provided with apertures or cutouts in its sidewalls into which wedging ends of the tool may enter and form locking detents or dimples in the outer band without shear or removal of the band cross section thereat, thereby retaining uniform tensional strength of the band at all cross sections thereof. The method includes the steps of forming a flat blank with the apertures therein and thence bending or folding it along predetermined fold lines to form a buckle of conventional channel shape, the folds being so chosen relative to each aperture to dispose a portion thereof in a sidewall of the buckle and the remaining portion in the top wall, and the final steps of applying the buckle to the band and forming the locking detents. The tool employs pair of pivoted crimping or dimpling jaws and a buckle pressure applying member which are operated in the desired sequence by cams directly engageable therewith, preferably eliminating links or other mechanism which would otherwise complicate the apparatus.

United States Patent Beardsley [54] BAND BUCKLE, METHOD OF MAKING AND TOOLFOR APPLYING [72] Inventor: Harold H. Beardsley, Denver, Colo.

[73] Assignee: Band-It, Denver, Colo.

[22] Filed: June 18, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 47,351

[52] US. Cl. ..24/23 W, 8 l/9.l M, 140/932 [51] Int. Cl ..B65d 63/06 [58] FieIdofSearch ..24/2O W, 23 W; 8l/9.l;

[ 1 Feb. 15,1972

713,474 8/1954 Great Britain ..24/23 W Primary Examiner-Donald A. Grifiin Att0mey-Sheridan, Ross & Burton [57] ABSTRACT Band buckle, method of making the buckle, and tool for applying the buckle to lapped ends of a looped band. The buckle is provided with apertures or cutouts in its sidewalls into which wedging ends of the tool may enter and form locking detents or dimples in the outer hand without shear or removal of the band cross section thereat, thereby retaining uniform ten- 93 2 sional strength of the band at all cross sections thereof. The method includes the steps of forming a flat blank with the [56] m- Cited apertures therein and thence bending or folding it along predetermin' ed fold lines to form a buckle of conventional UNITED STATES PATENTS channel shape, the folds being so chosen relative to each aperture to dispose a portion thereof in a sidewall of the buckle 1 gora ..24/23 W and the remaining portion in the top wall and the final steps of 3 il/1927 P applying the buckle to the band and forming the locking de- 58 5/1938 gfig tents. The tool employs pair of pivoted crimping or dimpling 2298658 10/1942 S f'" jaws and a buckle pressure applying member which are 100O083 8,1911 it l9 1 H operated in the desired sequence by cams directly engageable therewith, preferably eliminating links or other mechanism FOREIGN PATENTS 0 APPLICATIONS which would otherwise complicate the apparatus.

641,186 4/1928 France ..8l/9.1 M 10 Claims, 11 Drawing figures r f 2 |4 |4-\, I I I u l l 20 22 1 l l l 20 I Din l4 MI I I 24 l a I A! I" H Ihl V LIZ PAIENTEU FEB 15 I972 IN VENTOR HAROLD H. BEARDSLEY ATTORNEYS invention. The tool of the present invention BAND BUCKLE, METHOD OF MAKING AND TOOL FOR APPLYING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the art of securing members together it has long been the practice to employ a strap or band of metal which encircles or otherwise extends about a member or members, or a plurality of articles in a bundle, which is tensioned and its ends then secured together with alocking member, variously referred to as a seal, sleeve, or buckle. The bucklejs commonly formed of ductile sheet material, such as steel, which is bent into the form of a tube having a rectangular channel in which the band ends are disposed in lapped relation after which a cold crimping or swaging action locks the buckle and band ends together. In one form of conventional lock, portions of the band edges are sheared and bent laterally to provide locks engageable with corresponding apertures or sheared portions in' the buckle, 1,988,742. As will be apparent, since the cross-section of the band is reduced at its transverse points where the shear locks or lugs occur, the strength of the band in tension is reduced. In another form of lock, as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 190,641, the band is not weakened by shearing portions of its cross section, but on the contrary, a suitable aperture is provided in the buckle into which the band is crimped, forming a lock, but maintaining the cross section of the band-essentially the same as prior thereto. As will subsequently appear, the present invention is most closely related to this latter technique.

Various toolshave been devised for tensioning the band, forming the lock, and severing the band adjacent one end of the buckle, exemplary of which is U.S. Pat. No. 2,837,949 to Lodholm which is assigned to the same assignee as the present may be employed with the tensioning apparatus of this patent as an interchangeable buckle crimping and shearing head, if so desired, or with any other tensioning device which performs like tensioning of a band.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is conventional to the extent that a buckle is blanked and bentinto a sleeve having a rectangular opening or channel in which ends of a band are disposed in overlapping relation and locked to the buckle.

One of the features of novelty resides in the position and shape of cutouts at the opposite edges of the buckle into which the upper or outer band is crimped to provide locking-dimples or detents.

Another feature of novelty resides in the shape of the jaws of a tool andtheir manner of operation for-forming the detents.

Another feature resides in a camming mechanism for the jaws, which preferably eliminates links and the like, the camming mechanism being so constructed to operate in three angular stages; first, to close the jaws and produce a crimp or dimple, next to open the jaws, and lastly, to operate a member to separate the top band adjacent oneend of the buckle. Return rotation of an actuating member, such as a lever, operates the separating member and jaws as it is moved to its initial position to return the parts to their original positions for repeating the operations on the next band to be secured by a buckle.

Further features of novelty of the invention, together with its further objects, advantages, and salient features will become more apparent from the detailed description to follow, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawing to now be briefly described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING locking and severing exemplary of which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No..

FIG. 3 is a top plan as viewed in the direction of arrow 3, FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4, FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan of a punched buckle blank before being bent;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the buckle after being bent and applied to a band, the band also being locked to the buckle and about to be severed by the buckle applying apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a top plan as viewed in the direction of arrow 7, FIG. 6, portions being broken away;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation of a band dimpling member;

FIG. 9 is a section'taken on line 9-9, FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is an elevation as viewed in the direction of arrow 10, FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawing, and first to FIG. 5, the buckle B employed with the invention comprises an elongated blank punched from sheet metal of desired width and length'which provides, after being bent, a top wall 10, opposite sidewalls 12,12 and bottom walls 14,14 which are spaced parallel to the top wall to provide a rectangular channel 16 (FIG. 6) of a desired thickness to receive at least two thicknesses of the band 18 which is to be locked to the buckle. A pair of circular apertures 20,20 are also punched, as illustrated in FIG. 5, so that their centers are approximately on top fold lines 22,22. As will be apparent, when the blank is bent along fold lines 22,22 and bottom walls 14,14 are bent 90 inwardly toward each other along fold lines 24,24, the channel 16 for receiving ends of band 18 is substantially rectangular in cross section and of a size to receive at least two thicknesses of the band 18. For simplicity of the disclosure two thicknesses have been illustrated in FIG. 6 but, as is conventional in the art, more may be provided, as desired, the buckle being so bent and its top and bottom walls spaced, accordingly.

After being bent, each aperture 20 will be generally semicircular in the top wall, as shown in FIG. 7, and the other semicircular half of the aperture will be in a sidewall 12 which, as will subsequently appear, provides access for a dimpling jaw.

Referring again to FIG. 6, one end of band 18 is provided with a conventional back-fold 26 for locking it to the buckle. The band 18 is now disposed around the article and a tension force is applied in the direction of arrow 28, contracting the band around the article with the desired tension. Jaws35 of the locking or dimpling tool, to be subsequently described, then move simultaneously toward each other, their ends engaging beneath the top band and below the semicircular apertures in the top wall of the buckle. This jaw movement causes cold flow or slight stretching of portions of the top band into the semicircular apertures in the top wall, forming convex detents or dimples which have a general shape of a small segment of a sphere which have the same tensional strength of the band at all other cross sections thereof. The top band is then sheared along plane 30 adjacent one end of the buckle by a pressure blade 32 which will be subsequently described in greater detail.

Before proceeding with the detailed description of the buckle applying tool, reference is now made to FIGS. 8 to 10 which illustrate the construction of the end or tip 34 of each dimpling jaw 35. As viewed in the front elevation of FIGS. 2 and 8, its lower surface 36 is flat. Its upper surface 38 is convex, as illustrated in FIG. 9, and tapers to a generally semicircular sharp edge 39. It thus forms a wedge having a flat-side and an opposite convex side which is increasing in cross section in a direction away from its convex edge.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4, the crimping or dimpling tool comprises a body or frame 40 which may be affixed to a suitable tensioning device, as previously referred to. A pair of jaw actuators or levers 42,42 are pivotally connected to the frame by pivot pins 46,46 and a tie bar 48 prevents spreading of t the outer ends of the pins under the considerable actuating force applied to the levers. Each lever is provided with a hemispherical socket 50 which rotatably receives a hardened ball 52 which serves as a cam follower for cam 54. Cam 54 is pivotally connected to the frame by a pivot pin 56 and may be rotated in any desired manner, such as by a lever 58 having a hand crank 60 at its end. The cam 54 is provided with like milled recesses or surfaces in its opposite faces, thus forming a pair of circular face cams, each of which engages a ball follower 52. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, each face cam is provided with a pair of circular depressions 62,64, which are joined by a ramp 66. A compression spring 68 maintains the ball followers against the cams. In the operation of this portion of the mechanism levers or jaw actuators 42 are normally in open position. When lever 58 is rotated, ramps 66 first close the jaws 35 as the followers ride up the left faces (FIG. 4) of the ramp after which they ride down the right faces of the ramps, again opening the jaws. Due to the shape of the ramps, closing action of the jaws 35 is more gradual than opening action of same. After the jaws are again opened a peripheral cam surface 70 engages a roller 72, rotatably carried by reciprocable member 32, which moves downwardly in a guide slot 74, engaging the buckle adjacent the right end thereof as viewed in FIG. 6. The right edge of the buckle, in cooperation with the left edge of anvil member 80, then separates the top band 80 along plane 30. Since the dimpling jaws 35 are now still open, the article and its secured surrounding band will separate from the buckle applying apparatus. A spring 76 returns the blade 32 to its original position when lever 58 is returned to its original position.

Referring again to FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, a backing or spacer plate 78 and a shear plate or anvil 80 are secured to the bottom of body 40, spacer plate 78 having a rectangular recess in one face of same through which the band may slidably extend to the band tensioning device. Plate 80 serves as the resisting member of a stationary shearing die across one edge of which the buckle 32 slides for severing the top band. The transverse edge of blade 32, as shown in FIG. 2, is preferably disposed at a slight angle to the perpendicular of its direction of movement so that the shearing action occurs gradually across the width of the band, thus reducing the force required for its shearing action.

FIG. 1A illustrates an alternative construction in which spring 76 is eliminated and in lieu thereof member 32 is pivotally connected to frame 40 by pin 82 and is operated by a separate sliding member 32a. A slidable plunger 84 moves member 32 to its initial position, as shown, when lever 58 engages same as it is returned to its original position. In view of the foregoing, it will be readily appreciated that an improved band buckle, a method of making such a buckle and a tool for applying same to the lapped ends of a loop band have been described. With the band buckle and tool of this invention, the band is secured to the buckle before the band is sheared or cut off by the cutting blade in the tool.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for securing a looped flat band to a buckle, said buckle having parallel spaced top and bottom walls and sidewalls joining same, providing a substantially rectangular opening between its ends through which extend at least two thicknesses of the band in lapped relationship forming an outer end portion and an inner adjacent portion, said sidewalls each having a first aperture through same, joining a second aperture in the top wall disposed adjacent a side edge of same, the first apertures providing access for portions of a band crimping device, the second apertures providing recesses into which only the outer band portion may be partially crimped for securing it to the buckle, said apparatus, comprising:

a. a pair of movable members, each having a wedgelike end adapted to enter a first aperture and between said outer and inner portions, and

b. means for conjointly moving said members toward each other,

c. the construction and arrangement being such that said wedgelike ends crimp only said outer portion, without severing same, in a direction away from said adjacent portion, and form locking detents disposed within the second apertures which are subjected to shear and without weakening the band in tension at the locking detents.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in combination with said buckle and band.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said members are pivotally supported between their ends to a body member, forming levers of the first order having outer ends,

and an actuating member pivotally mounted on said body member having a pair of face cams, one on each of opposite faces of same, for moving said levers toward each other.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said face cams are so shaped to permit the wedgelike ends to move out of engagement with the band, after the detents are formed, a pressure applying blade engageable with the buckle for shearing the band adjacent one end of the buckle, said actuating member having a third cam so constructed to operate the blade after the wedgelike ends have moved out of engagement, whereby the looped band and buckle are released from the apparatus.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said third cam is peripherally disposed, at least in part, on the actuating member between the planes of the face cams.

6. In a buckle for securing ends of a looped band together, the buckle having parallel spaced top and bottom walls and sidewalls joining same, providing a substantially rectangular opening between its ends through which at least two thicknesses of the band are adapted to extend in lapped relationship, forming'an outer slidable end portion and an inner adjacent portion previously affixed to the buckle, the improvements, in combination, comprising: pl

a. said sidewalls each having a first aperture therein, each joined to a second aperture in the top wall disposed adjacent the side edges of same,

b. the first apertures providing access for wedgelike ends of a band crimping device to enter between said portions in lateral directions toward each other,

e. the second apertures providing recesses into which only said outer band portion may be crimped without shearing same, in directions away from said adjacent portion, to form locking detents disposed therein.

7. A buckle in accordance with claim 6 in combination with the band and locking detents.

8. A buckle in accordance with claim 6 wherein said apertures are formed in the buckle prior to bending it to its substantially rectangular shape.

9. A buckle in accordance with claim 8 wherein the apertures are circular, prior to the bending, and after bending provide joined substantially semicircular apertures in only the top and sidewalls.

10. A method of making a band securing buckle from a blank of a predetermined length of flat strip stock and securing it to ends of the band comprising the steps of:

a. forming a pair of longitudinally spaced circular apertures through the blank,

b. folding the blank along transverse fold lines between its ends to form parallel spaced top and bottom walls and sidewalls joining same, providing a substantially rectangular opening between its ends through which at least two thicknesses of the band are adapted to extend in lapped relationship, forming an outer end portion and an inner adjacent portion,

c. the folds being made to cross the apertures and dispose a portion of each in a sidewall and its remaining joining semicircular portion in the top wall adjacent a side edge of the top wall to form a recess into which portions of only said outer portion of the band may be crimped to provide locking detents,

. applying the buckle to the band, and

e. crimping only said portions of said outer portion in directions away from said adjacent portion, without shearing same.

* l k i k 

1. Apparatus for securing a looped flat band to a buckle, said buckle having parallel spaced top and bottom walls and sidewalls joining same, providing a substantially rectangular opening between its ends through which extend at least two thicknesses of the band in lapped relationship forming an outer end portion and an inner adjacent portion, said sidewalls each having a first aperture through same, joining a second aperture in the top wall disposed adjacent a side edge of same, the first apertures providing access for portions of a band crimping device, the second apertures providing recesses into which only the outer band portion may be partially crimped for securing it to the buckle, said apparatus, comprising: a. a pair of movable members, each having a wedgelike end adapted to enter a first aperture and between said outer and inner portions, and b. means for conjointly moving said members toward each other, c. the construction and arrangement being such that said wedgelike ends crimp only said outer portion, without severing same, in a direction away from said adjacent portion, and form locking detents disposed within the second apertures which are subjected to shear and without weakening the band in tension at the locking detents.
 2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in combination with said buckle and band.
 3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said members are pivotally supported between their ends to a body member, forming levers of the first order having outer ends, and an actuating member pivotally mounted on said body member having a pair of face cams, one on each of opposite faces of same, for moving said levers toward each other.
 4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said face cams are so shaped to permit the wedgelike ends to move out of engagement with the band, after the detents are formed, a pressure applying blade engageable with the buckle for shearing the band adjacent one end of the buckle, said actuating member having a third cam so constructed to operate the blade after the wedgelike ends have moved out of engagement, whereby the looped band and buckle are released from the apparatus.
 5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said third cam is peripherally disposed, at least in part, on the actuating member between the planes of the face cams.
 6. In a buckle for securing ends of a looped band together, the buckle having parallel spaced top and bottom walls and sidewalls joining same, providing a substantially rectangular opening between its ends through which at least two thicknesses of the band are adapted to extend in lapped relationship, forming an outer slidable end portion and an inner adjacent portion previously affixed to the buckle, the improvements, in combination, comprising: p1 a. said sidewalls each having a first aperture therein, each joined to a second aperture in the top wall disposed adjacent the side edges of same, b. the first apertures providing access for wedgelike ends of a band crimping device to enter between said portions in lateral directions toward each other, c. the Second apertures providing recesses into which only said outer band portion may be crimped without shearing same, in directions away from said adjacent portion, to form locking detents disposed therein.
 7. A buckle in accordance with claim 6 in combination with the band and locking detents.
 8. A buckle in accordance with claim 6 wherein said apertures are formed in the buckle prior to bending it to its substantially rectangular shape.
 9. A buckle in accordance with claim 8 wherein the apertures are circular, prior to the bending, and after bending provide joined substantially semicircular apertures in only the top and sidewalls.
 10. A method of making a band securing buckle from a blank of a predetermined length of flat strip stock and securing it to ends of the band comprising the steps of: a. forming a pair of longitudinally spaced circular apertures through the blank, b. folding the blank along transverse fold lines between its ends to form parallel spaced top and bottom walls and sidewalls joining same, providing a substantially rectangular opening between its ends through which at least two thicknesses of the band are adapted to extend in lapped relationship, forming an outer end portion and an inner adjacent portion, c. the folds being made to cross the apertures and dispose a portion of each in a sidewall and its remaining joining semicircular portion in the top wall adjacent a side edge of the top wall to form a recess into which portions of only said outer portion of the band may be crimped to provide locking detents, d. applying the buckle to the band, and e. crimping only said portions of said outer portion in directions away from said adjacent portion, without shearing same. 